Ultrasonic Voice Transmission via Beamforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communications devices require users to wear headsets or use handheld devices for calls, leading to discomfort, limited hand activity, and privacy concerns due to the inconvenience of current voice signal transmission methods.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic wave-based voice signal transmission system that detects users using ultrasonic echoes, voice signals, or cameras to directionally transmit voice signals using an ultrasonic transducer array and beamforming controller, ensuring the signal points directly to the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional communication devices use headsets or handheld devices for calls, then voice signal transmission can be achieved, but user convenience deteriorates due to discomfort and limited hand activity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the voice transmission function from traditional headset/handheld devices and implements it directly through the communication device's speaker using ultrasonic beamforming technology. This eliminates the need for additional answering devices while maintaining voice signal transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ultrasonic waves as an intermediary medium to transmit voice signals directionally through air to the user's ear. This intermediary approach enables hands-free communication without requiring physical contact with traditional communication devices.
2Ease of operation
If hands-free speaker manner is used for calls, then hand activity is freed, but privacy deteriorates due to poor privacy protection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a highly directional ultrasonic beam that concentrates voice energy in a specific spatial region (toward the user's ear). This localized energy concentration ensures that only the intended user receives the voice signal, providing privacy protection while maintaining hands-free capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from omnidirectional sound propagation (traditional speaker) to directional ultrasonic beam transmission. By adding the dimension of spatial directionality through beamforming, the system achieves both hands-free operation and privacy protection simultaneously.
3Area of stationary object
If voice signals are transmitted omnidirectionally through traditional speakers, then coverage area is maximized, but signal precision deteriorates due to lack of directional targeting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beamforming that can adjust the direction and focus of ultrasonic beams in real-time based on user position. This dynamic capability allows the system to maintain precise directional targeting while potentially covering multiple areas by repositioning the beam, resolving the contradiction between coverage area and signal precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances call convenience by allowing voice signals to be transmitted directly to users using ultrasonic waves, reducing user discomfort and privacy concerns while enabling hands-free communication.
Implementation Method 1
the ultrasonic transducer array is configured to convert the signal that points to the user into an ultrasonic signal with a beam pointing to the user, and transmit the ultrasonic signal
Implementation Method 2
the beamforming controller is configured to control a phase and an amplitude of the modulated voice signal according to a detection result output by the user detector, to obtain a signal that points to the user
Implementation Method 3
A first manner is detecting the user by using an ultrasonic echo
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic wave-based voice signal transmission system, where the system includes an ultrasonic modulator, a beamforming controller, an ultrasonic transducer array, and a user detector. The ultrasonic modulator is configured to modulate a voice signal onto an ultrasonic band and output the modulated voice signal to the beamforming controller. The user detector is configured to detect a user and output a detection result of the user to the beamforming controller. The beamforming controller is configured to control according to the detection result from the user detector, a phase and amplitude of the modulated voice signal to obtain an electrical signal pointing to the user, and output, to the ultrasonic transducer array, the electrical signal pointing to the user. Therefore, call convenience can be improved for the user.